The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-01
AUGUSTA IN WILD ALARM
THE BANK OF THE MAIN CANAL IN
DANGER OF GIVING WAY.

ITp9VV F1DGnClal LOSSES.
ArrUsTA, GA, July 31.-This has been
an eventful day in the history of Augusta,
rblcth loss has not been as great as in
i.40 1862 or in 1865, the scenes were as ex-
citing The loss however is heavy, and
f.IIs on that portion of the citizens least
allie to bear it, From Schultz's Hill to Har-
risburg hill, included between Cumming,
tbo river and the second lock of the canal,
one sheet of water. Foot travel is impos-
.ibe. and pedestrians have either to swim,
wade. or ship. Newspapers were not deliv-
cred in the city to-day. Ice men, milk men,
cooks servants, walters and stable boys, all
failed to put in an appearance.
SWIMMING IN THE STREETS.
Rroad street, Ellis street, Greene street,
Telfair, Walker, Cumming, Bullock, Wat
kinS and Fenwick streets were navigabie.
and bateaux and row boats went around
with ease. Men and boys swan down the
nrincipal thoroughfares, and pleasure par
fies dotted Greene and neighboring streets.
The South Commons are one vast sheet of
water while bordering on the canals at
Jackson and Campbell streets are miniature
lakes.
The Augusta, Gibson and Sandersville
railroad II DlOWhttl DtCuucC bllC Wdlti 10 81
high that it put out the fires of the engines
Tic Georgia railroad is at q standstill The
Columbia road is net running and the South
Carolina is uncertain, The Port Royal
road has brought no trains in town to-day,
and the Augusta and Knoxville is compelled
to leave from the Sibley mills, the Hawks
gulley trcstling being washed away.
THE RIVER RECEDING.
AT 10 o'clock tonight all was serene. 1t
was known that the river was receding four
inches an hour and feeling of quiet was
restored Intantly, however, there was a
panic Big Steve is the huge bell in the
tower on Jackson street. Since the adoption
of the electric fire alarm system the bell
has not been used, it being under
stood that it would be left standing
and used as signal of danger. Shortly
after 10 o'clock it sounded out stroke after
stroke Immediately the people were fren-
zed as if by an earthquake shock. A re-
port went round i'll the most rapid manner
that the main canal had given way, and
that its miles of water would be in few
minutes rushing over the town.
PEOPLE FRENzIED.
People flew about the streets, which were
inundated in a frantic manner, women
Shrieked and brave men grew pale. The
Chronicle editorial reportorial and
their homes before they would return to
work Soon an explanation was given and
all was quiet again. The canal bank was
in great danger, and the alarm signal was
given to entice force TO the spot to check
the water. In less than thirty minutes 2, 900
people had gathered at the spot and all
danger was obviated for the time.
THE LOSSES
Hon. Robert H. May puts the loss to the
city corporation at S25 600, to the citizens
at 100000, and competent people say that
the loss to farmers along the river will ap-
prOximate S2,0O0,000. Canal bridges,
sewers, footways and causeways are torn to
pieces, and the streets are knocked into a
cooked hat. Houses and cellars are filled
with water, and buildings in some places
haze left their foundations and are in
danger of floating. The scenes on upper
Broad street during the day we're novel
Prominent citizens and their families gath
cred on their balconies and watched the
water and the gambolings therein, and told
tales OF previous floods, etc.
NOT IN DARKNESS.
Tonight the gas works are in working
order contrary to expectations, and the
bridge across the river, though shaky, is
not in serious condition, a strong force
Being at work upon it. The Mayor has
called meeting of the City Council for to-
morrow to take some action toward
renewing the distress among the poor
HtoNe, who are sufferers because of
Ine nigh water. One drowning only
mas been reported. but the report
cannot he verified Hamburg, just across
1he llNer, has suffered more than Augusta
~ IS possible that there is not a house in
mat city that has not been inundated. and
Vle llSa OF the dozen merchants doing bust
ncaS there is very heavy First floors in
'Oiiie instances are completely covered.
THE oCMULGEE'S MAD FRANKS
MACON GA. July 31-The rivefis OH the
t!Ssest boom ever known in its history.
~ mas hoen visited by thousands of citizens
to-iay of all classes, anxious to see the mad
ihnlhS torrent. The water reached its
hhishesI point to-day, rising eighteen inches
tsuer than the famous freshet of 1875,
HiIwil sam as the Centennial freShet. 1t began to
tgH thlS afternoon and at this writing is
TTIouV m eight inches lower than this morning.
brJ & iaIilng continues gradually. The
mug OF the Covington and Macon rail
Tau T mas sustained considerable damage.
anG niudle pier has settled about three feet
sll the track is out of line about four feet,
tShmnig 70 the washing away of $50 feet of
ao oelllpankmcnt on this side. The trouble
%GHch' however, az can be easily repaired,
@ r'u Uie schedules, which are entirely
time "'H 10 'e'"Ni0" III 0"o
DRIFTING TREE.
has AS a matter of precaution the authorities
Mic Mic FORBIDDEN travel across the city bridge.
stro,l rS morning large tree foated down the
tSa|llI'' struck the middle pier, shattering
t" to "eGtherboarding and demolishing por-
Io Dn oi tho roof. The same tree farther
NJ, ~. lhe stream tore away portion Of the
c,to ea'erl Union lines, cutting Off communi-
taI' pn with Savannah by that line At the
ira mere is not a vestige of the fence
,,ro... the mile track to be seen, the entire
water uo wa OO i0SO '''N'O'
THE LEvEE BREAKS.
A. iue leVee broke in three places to-day.
viii iIDN .'I as the winter subsidies Mayor Price
nairiP r Put large force of hands TO work re-
rcln,iS an The damage. The levee will be
fro,', "uiS I. 10 tho height of 10 feet. The traiu
Ia savannah on the Central due here at
tidi,pioS pioSk has not yet arrived, and no
disai5s oi II can be obtained owing to the
tbn Teu Tn condition of the wires. Travel on
and G+lat Gt, Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia
Tba GGovlhgton roads is entirely suspended.
trai,'a igla road is also badly crippled, no
So,tL ole running on any of them. Tho
t,y,' Compaay's wires are down be.
tI'o,,an, Atlanta and Augusta The worst is
''lll falling.
o. THE RAGING ocoNEE.
AINHlLLE, GA. July II The old relia.